Father's Day 2009

First off, I want to take a minute to share how blessed I am to have such wonderful men in my life. My dad, he is an amazing man who showed me what it takes to be a good husband and father. I couldn't have asked for any better parents, and all my life I have been blessed by the wonderful example of my father. I can't say enough amazing things about my dad, my sisters and I are the luckiest children in the world to have had such a loving, hard-working father. Next, my father-in-law, Bud. Words can't describe the love and generosity this man has to offer. I am probably one of the few people who can say how truly grateful I am for my in-laws, I wouldn't have hand-picked any others! Bud, thank you for your example, and for raising such a wonderful family. That leads me to Ben, who I can't say enough about. My husband, who goes out of his way to make sure Avery and I are safe and healthy. On a daily basis, he goes to work so I have the opportunity to stay home with our daughter, and for that, I will forever be grateful. He is a better dad than I ever could have imagined, and despite the crazy outfits he puts together and the lack of understanding why she needs a bath everyday, Ben would give the world for his beautiful little girl. Thank you to all the men and dads who sacrifice everyday for their families, we appreciate you and I pray God's blessing in your lives!

Happy Father's Day!

Despite Father's Day being rather quiet this year, we had a wonderful day yesterday! We took Ben to breakfast before church. This was a special event considering we normally have a hard time getting to church on time anyway! The rest of the day was spent playing around the house and going to the park. And then we had "Man's Dinner"... steak, twice baked potatoes, green beans, and chocolate cake. (I have a feeling the indigestion I am experiencing, may be due to that!)

Avery loves helping Daddy in the garage. While I cooked dinner she helped him pump up his football and basketball and then they went to the park and played some basketball. She reminds me so much of me and my dad. I would have picked helping my dad in the garage any day over being inside!

Disneyland!

Ben & Ave at Goofy's Breakfast

Ave talking to Goofy

Not so sure about Cinderella!

Ben & Ave hugging Pluto

All of us with Pluto before Goofy's breakfast

She really liked Pluto!

These two, we just don't know what they were doing?!

Mr. Potato Head at the Parade

Ave on the Carousel

Some tall guys....

More at the parade

Mesmerized...

Keeping busy before the parade

Climbing through Tarzan's Treehouse

Me and Ave on Dumbo

Ben & Ave riding on the train

One of the thousands of pics Ben took of the fireworks!

Ave loved seeing the castle!

Ave watching the fireworks, very tired!

Looking good...

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe

Ben & Ave driving Mickey's Car

Ave was SUPER excited to meet Mickey

Me & Ave before the Aladdin play

The boys giving the kids a better view.

It's seldom that you get to take a break from the busy schedules and just get away. It was Disneyland for us, and man was it a blast! I can't say that sore feet, sleepless nights, screaming kids, bruised foreheads, and chemicals in the eye are always something to glamour about; however, it is the memories that will last forever!

It was Avery's first time to Disney Land and she hated to leave. We were able to meet up with our dear friends Mario, Jen, and Ben for the trip and had nothing short of a great time! The shows were so neat, the rides were very creative, and meeting Mickey and many of the other Disney characters were quite mesmerizing for Avery and Ben.

The Character Breakfast we were able to attend was that of "Goofy's Kitchen." It was an awesome time to spend eating some fabulous food and getting the kids some one-on-one time with those like: Cinderella, Baloo, Goofy, Pluto, and more!

It's a trip I hope we can do again in the future.

P.S. Don't ever visit hole in the wall pizza joints late on a weekend night in L.A....not a good idea if you plan on living to see the next day! Haha!

Shell Beach

Yesterday, we headed up to San Luis Obispo for the afternoon in search of some good shopping! They have a really great maternity boutique there, and I was in desperate need of some jeans. Well, after a successful trip we stopped at Shell Beach in Pismo and had a picnic "dinner".  Ave can't get enough of the beach! It was pretty windy as usual but it was a perfectly clear night. 

First Time on the Potty!

Right after she went in the potty! She was so excited!

Today was a BIG day! Avery went "tinkle" on the potty today for the first time! We have been talking to her about it a lot recently and have been preparing for potty training. I was so proud of her. I'm sure we have a lot more work to do but it was a BIG deal! 

Ave's "New" Room

My first goal after getting home from our trip to Montana was getting Avery's room done. (By the way, we had a wonderful trip but I forgot the camera, which I NEVER do! So I will have to get pics from Mom & Dad before I can post!) 

Anyway, it was really important to me to make her room fun for her. Moving has been hard but she has done so well. I finally got it together and finished. She loves it. We painted it green and she has what she calls "bubbles" on the walls. The furniture is actually the same furniture my Papa bought my mom in high school, so it is really special that it is in such good condition for Ave to use! 

Ave's Dance Recital

Showing us her big finish!

All three of us after the recital.

The princess dance. 

These are "squishy balls", they are for balancing. They are her favorite!

Ave and Elka, her dance buddy.

Ave, Elka, and Sara

More dancing.

She loves her tap shoes!

More tapping..

More tapping....

Today we went to Avery's first dance recital. She has been really enjoying dance lessons and loves her teacher, Ms. Kerry. Ave was quite the performer, she has come a long way since her first class. During class she doesn't even move, she just stands and observes Ms. Kerry. But when we go home all we hear is about what she learned at dance class and she will show us all the new dances she learned. We were a little worried how she would do today but needless to say, she was great! She danced and had a great time! They did two tap dances, two ballet dances and showed a few of the activities they do during class. I couldn't get over how big she looked. She is turning into a such a fun, amazing little person!